Driver dies after collision with Hamilton City Fire Department engine

HAMILTON CITY -- A Hamilton City man whose pickup collided with a fire engine died after suffering major injuries Monday afternoon.

A Hamilton City Fire Department engine was eastbound on its way to an accident when a man driving an older model brown Ford Ranger came into its lane at about 1:50 p.m. Monday on Highway 32 near Gianella Road, CHP officer Mark Keyes said at the scene.

The man, who is thought to be in his 60s, began going to the right to yield, but for an unknown reason he made a sharp left turn into the path of the engine and was broadsided, Keyes said. It is thought that he may have been avoiding crashing into a car in front of him, but that has not been confirmed.

The man had to be freed from his mangled pickup and was rushed to Enloe Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Medrano was also transported to the hospital as a precaution.

Highway 32 was reduced to one-way traffic until about 4:10 p.m.

Technicians from the Interagency Hazardous Material Team and Cal Trans responded to the crash to clean up debris that spilled onto the road, including razors, nails and diesel.

Medrano was on his way to an accident involving a double-bottom dump truck that went off the road and down an embankment, Keyes said. The driver of that truck complained of pain, but wasn't seriously injured.